The results of the MRI are in and Chien-Ming Wang will be out for at least six weeks.

Take into consideration the time needed to build up arm strength, and we'll be lucky to see Wang back before the end of the season.

Kudos to YES' Kim Jones. She asked Joe Girardi yesterday if Wang had the same injury that felled Brian Bruney. Girardi wouldn't speculate, but Kim was on the money.

Here's the release from the Yanks:

"RHP Chien-Ming Wang was examined today at New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia Medical Center by Yankees Team Physician, Dr. Stuart Hershon and Dr. Jason Greisberg, Foot and Ankle Specialist. Imaging studies revealed a mid-foot sprain of the Lisfranc ligament of the right foot and a partial tear of the peroneal longus tendon of the right foot. Wang will be on crutches and wear a protective boot for a minimum of six weeks."

But Brian Cashman et al must also go shopping and see what it will cost to acquire the likes of C.C. Sabathia, Erik Bedard, Gil Meche, Bronson Arroyo and Roy Oswalt.

And then there are the pitchers who will cost nothing but money: Freddy Garcia, who has been rehabbing and yes, David Wells.

The Yanks don't need to replace an ace with an ace here.

The rotation is now Chamberlain, Pettitte, Mussina, Rasner and fill in the blank.

With the Yankee lineup starting to hit on all cylinders, they will be OK.

For those with short memory, back in 1996, the Yankees dealt with injuries to Dwight Gooden and David Cone, and for a time guys like Wally Whitehurst (yes that WW) were taking the mound.

Again, it's a long season, with many twists and turns.

And one more thing. Anybody still ticked that Joba's in the rotation?

UPDATE: 10 p.m.
Brian Cashman, who was on with Mike & The Mad Dog and Michael Kay earlier this afternoon, said he's not going to fill the void in the rotation with David Wells, Sidney Ponson or Freddy Garcia, who is still rehabbing from shoulder surgery.

Cashman can't speak about players on other teams, so he didn't offer any news on the likes of Sabathia or Bronson Arroyo (I like him alot).

Cashman did say somebody like a Dan Giese might make Wang's next scheduled start, which is Saturday, and added that there would be further discussion with the rest of the Yankee braintrust. The GM noted that it would probably be several weeks before a realistic trade opportunity would surface.

"'My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century," Steinbrenner said in Tampa, Fla. "They need to grow up and join the 21st century.

"Am I (mad) about it? Yes," Steinbrenner added. "I've got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He's going to be out. I don't like that, and it's about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s."

Hank is only off by 173 years. The American League, as Boy George should know, adopted the DH rule in 1973 and the first DH was none other than former Yankee Ron Blomberg. And what did Ronnie do during his first plate appearance? On April 6, 1973 at Fenway Park, Blomberg was walked by Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant.